Here at last are the results of a week of research. Contents of the coveted official Oscar gift bags are not publicized by the powers that be who run the Oscars. Companies that contribute gifts often put out press releases, though this year the Oscar folks ordered them to stay mum until February 23rd. One good source of discovering the more unique items are local news stories about shops in town who have been asked to contribute items. Case in point, I’m still trying to find the actual gift behind a cryptic Wisconsin TV news teaser advertising an interview with “a Wisconsin man who made a product that will be in all Oscar star’s goody bags.” Complicating the list compilation are the “unofficial” bags and gifts that are given out to the celebrities by other companies. These items are often mixed in with the official gift bag reports. Here first is a selection of these “other” bags.

Buzz Bags is a company that puts together gift bags, and thus
they are creating their own buzz by hand-delivering loot valued at $12,000 to this year’s Best Actor/Actress and Best Supporting Actor/Actress nominees. They’re certainly not shy about the vast list of contributers to their bag; you can read the lengthy list on their home page. Included are a consultation with a hair restoration surgeon, African safari, hands on dim sum instruction, and a 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition PEZ dispenser.

Revlon is handing out a “Red Carpet Bag” full of their products, valued at $2,500. It will be given to this year’s nominees “on the red carpet” as well as to presenters and other celebrity style setters. So keep an eye out when you’re walking down that red carpet!

Distinctive Assets, another company that puts together
gift bags, and Caesars Palace teamed up to create a gift bag for losers. That’s right, only
the nominees in the six major categories who don’t win a statue get to go home with this bag of goodies
valued at $32,000. The main feature is, of course, a trip to Caesars Palace with plenty of perks and
gift certificates to smooth away the sorrow of losing the Oscar. A unique addition are one-of-a-kind mosaics made of painted eggshells placed on small wooden boxes, created by Kansas artist Sherri Lindsay.
And now here’s what I’ve culled from a week of searching the wires for those press releases
and news reports. It’s likely that some of these items are not in the official bag but got mixed up in
news articles. Also, I’m certain this is not a complete list. If you saw the aforementioned TV show
in Wisconsin, drop me a line. Heck, if you got an official gift basket, drop me a line!

a Victoria’s Secret jewelled pink bra-and-panty set with a detachable diamond brooch, fragrances, and other items worth $7,000 for Best Actress nominees
a coupon for laser eye surgery
gold accented Havaianas flip flops
Manolo Blahnik leather “My Shoes for the Weekend” bag, with pouches sized perfectly for three pairs of
Manolos. It comes with matching suede sandals
Hermes cashmere shawl/blanket
La Grande Dame Veuve Cliquot champagne
pair of Baccarat crystal earrings or crystal lighter
Baccarat champagne flutes
Estee Lauder products, including a “crystal glow” sugar rub and a “calming body spray”, plus spa treatments for recipient and a guest
round-trip tickets to anywhere Song Airways flies
Crest Whitening Expressions toothpaste
Kiehl’s gift set, value $500
“the ultimate HDTV package”: VOOM high-definition satellite and
12 months of programming service as well as a 43-inch Samsung DLP HDTV. Value: $6,000
Peacock Black Pearl Collection gift set including an 18-inch necklace, seven-inch bracelet, and stud
earrings, from PearlParadise.com.
“Canadian Adventure” package:
-a one-night stay at Whistler Platinum
-a day of skiing on Whistler Blackcomb
-helicopter transfer between Vancouver and Whistler
-private tour of Canada’s premier family-owned winery, Mission Hill Family Estate
-three nights at Opus Hotel in Yaletown, Vancouver
-dinner at Elixir restaurant
-air tour of Vancouver
DuWop cosmetics in a custom-designed gold and silver striped tube
along with a yoga mat and yoga pants
a private, $1,500 steak dinner at Morton’s
$500 Krups espresso machine
A pair of round-trip business-class tickets on Air New Zealand from L.A. to Auckland
5-night stay at New Zealand’s Treetops Lodge & Estate in
secluded Rotorua, New Zealand (above airfare may be used separately)
Two nights in a suite at The Carlyle Hotel
SeaDream seven-day cruise for two to the Mediterranean or
Caribbean
Pollaro Custom Furniture $5,000 gift certificate
Christina Oxenberg Knitwear neck scarf or shawl
French perfume bottled in Baccarat crystal emblazoned with the nominee’s moniker
Charles Worthington shampoo gift pack (“made-in-Wales with a cool £4,295 price tag”)
gift certificate for a free TAZ I from Tight Systems, a
personal video and media player
GINGI skincare products
Once again, Motorola is giving out cell phones, not yet available to the public. The V600 cell phone, equipped with an
activated SIM card. It comes in a custom-made box, engraved with the recipient’s name, in the shape of
an old-time film camera that features an audio snippet of Mel Torme’s classic rendition of “You Oughta
Be in Pictures.”
Kyocera 7135 Smartphone with the Sherwood Personal Security Mobile Security Protection package included
PCS Vision Video Phone VM4050 by Toshiba, courtesy of Sprint, personalized with an engraved monogram and ringtones and screensavers from the appropriate movie
Personalized Anastasia diamond tweezers with an 18kt white gold chain and heart-shaped diamond (for Best Actress nominees, value $2,000)
a limited edition tin of Altoids mints, encrusted with crystals. Each tin takes up to 10 hours to create.
Nyakio’s African black tea candle
Jelly Bag (like these, basically a rubber version of the Hermes Birkin)
a $750 piece from the new Talismania collection, the new jewelry line from porcelain sculptors Lladro
Tina Earnshaw Makeup set
chocolate-covered strawberries from Brymm Berries in Houston, TX
A glass ornament in the shape of a shopping bag with the Oscar logo, handcrafted in Europe, designed by Lisa Kelechava of Tennessee
…and something made by some guy in Wisconsin